Compounds for treatment of infectious and immune system disorders and methods for their use

Abstract

The present invention provides polypeptides comprising an immunogenic epitope of a M. vaccae protein, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, and fusion proteins comprising at least one such polypeptide, together with DNA constructs comprising at least one inventive polynucleotide. Compositions comprising such polypeptides, polynucleotides, fusion proteins and/or DNA constructs may be employed in the treatment of infectious diseases and immune disorders.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An isolated polynucleotide comprising SEQ ID NO: 15. 
     
     
       2. A DNA construct comprising at least one polynucleotide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       3. The DNA construct of  claim 2 , wherein the construct comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 56 and 57. 
     
     
       4. The DNA construct of  claim 2 , wherein the construct comprises SEQ ID NO:58. 
     
     
       5. A host cell transformed with a DNA construct according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
       6. A host cell transformed with a DNA construct of  claim 3 . 
     
     
       7. A host cell transformed with a DNA construct according to  claim 4 . 
     
     
       8. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
       (a) sequences having at least 75% identical residues to SEQ ID NO: 15;  
       (b) sequences having at least 90% identical residues to SEQ ID NO: 15; and  
       (c) complements of SEQ ID NO: 15,  
       wherein the polynucleotide possesses an ability to stimulate cytokine production.  
     
     
       9. A DNA construct comprising at least one polynucleotide according to  claim 8 .